Cotter pin tool



March 17, 1953 v. FAHLSTROM 2,631,363

COTTER PIN TOOL Filed Sept. 50, 1949 v F ig. 2 4 0 INVENToR. VERNE FAHLSTROM Patented Mar. 17, 1953 COTTER PIN TOOL Verne Fahlstrom, Chehals, Wash.

Application September 30, 1949, Serial No. 118,741

(Granted under Title 35, U. S. Code (1952),

sec. 266) 1 Claim.

The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government of the United States for governmental purposes without the payment to me of any royalty thereon in accordance with the provisions of the act of April 30, 1928 (Ch, 460, 45 Stat. L. 467).

This invention relates to a tool for inserting and withdrawing cotter pins. The illustrated invention applies to a tool for use in connection with electric lines, particularly high tension wires which are held in position by hangers cornprising a cotter pin connection that must at times be withdrawn and replaced in the servicing and manipulating of the lines. However, the tool of this invention obviously has wide application in connection with the handling of cotter pins generally, regardless of specific environment.

An object of the invention is to provide a tool of the kind described which is quickly adaptable to various locations and operated by a simple twisting operation of the tool handle.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a tool of the character indicated consisting essentially of a tubular body, a rod slidable therein and carrying the pin-engaging member and simple crank means for reciprocating the rod to effect movement of the pin. The invention, therefore, is one adapted for efficiency both in manufacture and in use.

These and other objects are attained by the means described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure l is a side elevational view, partly in cross-section, of the invention shown in association with a high tension wire assembly including a cotter pin, the latter being shown in an intermediate position.

Figure 2 is a View of a line 2--2 of Figure l.

Figure 3 is a bottom plan view, partly in crosssection, and with parts broken away, of the tool of this invention with the operating parts shown in a position which they assume when a cotter pin is pushed inwardly.

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of line 4 4 of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a View similar to Figure 3 with the cotter pin shown in an outdrawn position and with the parts in position which they assume when a cotter pin is drawn out.

Figure 6 is a detail view showing a cotter pin as fully inserted in an insulator, the adjacent portions of the tool only being shown.

Figure 7 is a transverse cross-sectional view through the body of the tool, looking in the direction of the pin engaging hook.

In greater detail and with reference to the drawings, this invention comprises a tubular body l0 provided adjacent one end portion with a longitudinally extending slot Il. A bar i2 is positioned in the tubular body I0 for slidable movement therein. The bar has formed at one end thereof an extension i3 projecting through the slot Il and comprising a hook i4 adapted to engage the head of a cotter pin.

In the opposite end of the tubular body I9 the latter has iixed thereto, at a right-angle relation, the tubular bearing l5 through which shaft l5 extends rotatably. A strengthening yoke l2 is provided between the tubular body il. and the bearing l5 for resisting the stresses to which these parts are subjected in the use of the tool. The lower end of the shaft has secured thereon a crank plate li. The adjacent end of the bar i2 may be bifurcated for the purpose of receiving one end of a link i9 pivotally connected to the bifurcated end by means of the pin 2G. The other end of the link IQ is pivotally connected to the crank shaft il as at 2l. The outer end 22 of the rotatable shaft I6 is preferably formed for as sociation with a handle 23 formed with insulating grip of suitable character. Thus, the end 22 may be formed with a bead 24 adapted to be ernbraced by a pair of ridges 25 formed on an end projection 2t of the handle 23. A thumb screw 21 is provided for tightening in position the parts associated in the manner just described.

By the constructional details just set forth, it is possible to reciprocate the bar l2 in the tubular body It) by a twisting movement of the handle 23. The crank member ll is thus rotated, carrying with it the link IQ pivotally connected to said bar. For permitting the pivotal movements of the crank member and link, the adjacent end portion of tubular body lil is slotted as at 28 in Figures 3 and 5.

A suitable assembly comprising a cotter pin of the kind with which the present tool may be used is indicated in the drawings. 'I'his assembly may comprise a disc insulator indicated partially at 2t in Figure 1. A stud 30 dependsfrcm the bottom of this insulator and terminates in a supporting button 3l, the function of which is to support an insulator socket 32 formed with a laterally opening chamber 33 through which the support button 3l passes to the operative position seen in Figure 1. For precluding such separating movement of the insulator socket and the button when positioned, a cotter pin 34 is utilized. The pin is introduced laterally of the insulator socket 32 through an aperture 35 provided in the insulator socket on the side opposite the lateral opening of the chamber 33. Through the aperture B'the cotter pin may be inserted into the position seen in Figure 2 for precluding downward movement of the supporting button 3l and resultant separation thereof from the insulator socket.

The insulator socket supports a yoke 36, which in turn supports a high tension Wire 3l. It will be understood that a string of such assemblies is normally provided for the support of wires of the kind mentioned and that the servicing of these wires and supporting means is a matter of more or less constant attention, in which the tool of the present invention is of particular usefulness.

For directly associating the tool with supporting assemblies such as those described, the invention further provides a support member 38 consisting essentially of a forked or bifurcated plate secured, as at 39, to the bottom of a split clamp 49 encircling the tubular 1body I9. The clamp may be releasably secured at any point along the length of the said body by means or a threaded adjustment ybolt 4|, engaging both sides of the split clamp whereby the same may be tightened in and loosened from position.

When an operator is faced with a particular job, he iirst loosens the threaded bolt il and sets the supporting member 33 at such position as to contact or rest upon the supporting yoke 35 with the forward end of the tubular body I9 contacting the insulator socket 32 as at 42. Thereupon, the threaded bolt 4| is tightened and the tool is then in condition for use upon an indefinite number of similar assemblies extending throughout the work sector.

The operator, by a turn of the grip 23, now advances the extension I3 and the pin engaging hook I4 toward the head of the cotter pin, through which the hook is then inserted. If the cotter pin is'being inserted, the handle 2-3 is twisted in such direction as to advance the bar l2 toward the work. The pin is thereby pushed into the position seen in Figure 2, whereupon the outer extremities are spread in the usual manner. When the pin is to be Withdrawn, the hook is inserted in the head of the pin and the handle 23 twisted in the opposite direction for moving the pin out- Wardly.

The positioning of the tool for use and the advancement and retraction of the pin to be operated upon may all lbe accomplished in a fraction of time.

Modifications will be suggested by consideration of the means disclosed herein, but these are believed to be comprised within the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

A cotter pin tool comprising a tubular body provided with a longitudinal slot, a bar positioned in the body for sliding movement longitudinally thereof, an extension on the bar and projecting through the slot for engaging a cotter pin, a bearing fixed to the tubular body adjacent an end of the latter and in substantially right angular relation therewith, a shaft extending rotatably through the bearing, a crank member xed to the end of the shaft adjacent an end of said tubular body, a link extending between and pivotally connected with the crank member and an end of said bar, a work-engaging support on the tubular body for'holding said body in position for engagement of a Cotter pin by said extension and a handle fixed to the outer end 0f said shaft in longitudinal alignment therewith for holding the tool in operative position and for simultaneously rotating said shaft to eifect reciprocation of the bar and consequent advancement or retraction of a cotter pin engaged by said extension.

VERNE FAHLSTROM.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 48,658 Coller July 1l, 1865 640,594 Sanford Jan. 2, 1900 956,128 Mimmack Apr. 26, 1910 1,297,785 Bisoayart Nov. 18, 1919 1,493,821 Moyer May 13, 1924 1,707,842 Buckle Apr. 2, 1929 1,814,830 Cooke July 14, 1931 2,323,755 Smith July 6, 1943 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 25,451 Sweden Sept. 12, 1908 

